Is Respondent Legit or a Scam? Full 2025 Review

What Is Respondent.io?

Respondent.io is a market research platform that connects individuals with companies and researchers looking for feedback through paid surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups.

Unlike most other survey sites, a Respondent participant is eligible to participate in higher-paying opportunities, especially those that are tech, healthcare, business, and marketing professionals.

The Respondent.io platform connects participants who can browse available studies, apply by completing screeners, and participate remotely or in person, depending on the study type. After completing a study, participants receive Respondent incentives, or payment for their time.

Is Respondent.io Legit?

Website Overview

Positive user testimonials and success stories

Secure payment methods and data protection measures

Partnerships with reputable companies like IBM and Microsoft

Usability & Trust Signals

Participant acceptance rates for studies can be low

Higher pay rates compared to many survey sites

Requires participants to meet the necessary criteria for surveys

How Does Respondent.io Work?

Sign Up

To become a Respondent participant, join Respondent by creating an account and filling out the necessary information to complete your profile

Find and Apply to Studies

Find suitable paid studies or focus groups for you. You may also be invited to participate in select market research studies or focus groups

Participate in Studies

Once engaged with a study or a survey as a Respondent participant, make sure to be honest and genuine with your answers. The platform has a system of tracking profiles that speed through studies

Get Paid

Participants get their Respondent pay after successfully completing studies, after which users’ Respondent incentives are deposited into their PayPal account

User Experiences: Reviews and Complaints

Positive Reviews (5 Stars)

Fast payments. Respondent platform users appreciate getting paid as soon as studies or surveys are completed.

Ability to voice an opinion. Most users are motivated to share their insights on the products and services they like.

A variety of studies & surveys. Users are happy that the platform offers a wide variety of studies.

Negative Reviews (1 Star)

Unresponsive customer service. Some users claim that the customer service takes a long time to respond.

Difficult selection process. Other people state that they have a hard time finding suitable studies.

Payment issues. Some people shared that they haven’t been paid even after completing comprehensive studies.

*Information in this section was taken from Trustpilot in May, 2025

Respondent.io Pros and Cons

Pros of Respondent.io

The Respondent platform offers high compensation rates

Flexible participation, allowing people of different backgrounds to apply for paid research

A diverse range of studies

Respondent connects established companies with users

Cons of Respondent.io

Competitive selection process

Potential for disqualification during screening

Refunds may take time or require extra steps

Limited availability based on demographics

Respondent is a facilitating platform that makes it difficult to get more information about a specific study, as it depends on the researcher

Respondent.io Alternatives

Feature	Pawns.app	Respondent.io	Swagbucks	Survey Junkie	User Interviews	Prolific
Key features	Paid surveys, internet sharing, referral program	Professional research studies, high payouts	Surveys, shopping rewards, and daily tasks	Consumer surveys, easy sign-up	Different research studies, global reach	Academic-focused research, ethical studies
What makes it stand out	Passive income through bandwidth sharing, fast payouts	Higher compensation, B2B focus	A variety of earning options	Simple interface, steady survey flow	Professional studies, user-friendly platform	Transparent pay rates, university-backed
Best for	Users who want easy, low-effort ways to earn	Professionals looking for serious, high-paying studies	Casual users looking for frequent, low-effort tasks	Those looking for quick, consistent way to earn a little extra	Both professionals and general users worldwide	Those who enjoy academic studies with fair compensation

*Information was taken from Trustpilot in May, 2025

Tips for Success on Respondent.io

Fill out your profile

Complete your profile with accurate details and relevant keywords to improve visibility and match with appropriate studies.

Complete screeners carefully

Be honest, consistent, and quick when filling out screeners to increase your chances of being selected for potential studies.

Stay active

Check the Respondent platform regularly for new opportunities, respond, and be professional when communicating with researchers.

Final Verdict: Is Respondent.io Worth It?

Respondent.io is a legitimate market research platform that connects researchers with participants for paid research studies, offering compensation for user interviews, surveys, and product testing.

For many users, it’s a great way to earn extra income by sharing insights or professional expertise, but it’s not ideal for everyone.

It’s good for you, if:

You’re a professional or expert in a specific field

You want to earn extra money through paid interviews or surveys

You’re okay with being selective and applying to multiple studies

You may want to avoid it, if you:

Expect constant or guaranteed income

Don’t qualify for niche or specialized studies

Are uncomfortable sharing demographic or professional information

Have questions?

We’ve got answers. The most common questions answered in one place.

How can I increase my chances of being selected for studies on Respondent.io?

To join Respondent, you have to complete your profile fully and accurately, apply to studies you’re qualified for, and respond quickly to screeners or messages. The opportunities to get paid are great, but so is the competition.

Does Respondent.io have a mobile app?

At the moment, Respondent.io doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app, but the website is mobile-friendly, so you can access the platform easily.

Are there any fees to use Respondent.io?

You can sign up and apply completely free of charge, just be aware of the 5% processing fee that’s deducted from your payment if you’re selected and complete a study.

What should I do if I haven’t been paid after a study?

If you experience any problems with your account, getting paid, or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact Respondent support through their help center and provide details of the study and payment delay.